Lamar Jackson Ruled Out With Ankle Injury
The Ravens quarterback will undergo surgery and go on injured reserve, missing at least four games after a loss to the Bills.
Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Football
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Should the Ravens pay Lamar Jackson whatever it takes to keep him in Baltimore?
Baltimore quarterback Lamar Jackson suffered a left ankle injury during Sunday's game and was ruled out before the first quarter ended, with Buffalo winning 36-10. Ravens coach Jesse Minter said Jackson will have surgery and be placed on injured reserve, sidelining him for at least four games.
Why it matters
The injury puts the Ravens, now 4-4 after three straight losses, without their starting quarterback during a critical stretch of the season. It also carries financial consequences, as Jackson's cap number rises sharply under his current contract.
Jackson has missed 17 regular-season games to injury in his career, and his five-year, $260 million contract runs through 2027 with no guaranteed salary beyond the 2026 season. His cap number is projected to climb from $34.4 million to roughly $84.3 million, the largest in the league.
The players
Lamar Jackson
Lamar Jackson is the Baltimore Ravens quarterback and former NFL MVP whose injury sidelines him for at least four games.
Jesse Minter
Jesse Minter is the Baltimore Ravens head coach who announced Jackson's surgery and placement on injured reserve.
Baltimore Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens are the NFL franchise that lost to the Buffalo Bills and must now play without their starting quarterback.
The details
Jackson faked a handoff to Derrick Henry and looked for Zay Flowers before his right hand struck the arm of Bills linebacker Greg Rousseau as he followed through on the throw, which fell incomplete. He had returned from a left ankle sprain after 28 days and played just one snap before being ruled out.
Timeline
Week 4: Jackson could not finish the win over Tennessee.
Week 8: Jackson returned from injury, played one snap, and was ruled out against Buffalo.
Through 2027: Jackson's five-year contract runs out.
Season Trajectory
Jackson's injury history, including four missed games in 2025 and 17 regular-season games missed in his career, now compounds a Ravens team that has dropped three straight. The loss of its starting quarterback at 4-4 threatens Baltimore's playoff positioning in the AFC.
With Jackson on injured reserve, fantasy managers relying on him will need to replace his rushing production, which has been central to Baltimore's offense. His cap hit increase also signals that the Ravens face difficult roster decisions in the coming seasons.
The takeaway
Injuries and contract structure can shift a franchise's direction quickly, and Jackson's situation shows how a single ankle injury can ripple through both a season and a team's salary cap for years.
What happens next
Jackson will undergo surgery and remain on injured reserve for at least four games, with his return dependent on his recovery timeline.
Further reading
Follow the latest updates in Football as the Ravens plan for life without their starting quarterback.
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Should the Ravens pay Lamar Jackson whatever it takes to keep him in Baltimore?
